Christie to Tap Public Funds for Election: AP

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will accept state public matching funds program for his fall re-election bid, according to a campaign official with knowledge of the operation's finances.

The official told The Associated Press that the Christie for Governor campaign will make an initial filing Tuesday with more than $4.1 million raised. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was not authorized to speak before the actual filing, which is to be made late Tuesday morning.

She also accepted public funds for the primary, but did not raise enough money to receive the maximum match. The Christie campaign says the governor raised $6.7 million for the primary and did not rely on public funds.

Accepting public money frees up candidates from having to fundraise constantly and is the state's attempt to level the field in primaries and general elections.

Christie also tapped matching funds in 2009, when he scored an upset victory despite being significantly outspent by then-Gov. Jon Corzine, an unpopular Democrat.

Christie, who is seen as a viable contender for the 2016 Republican nomination for president, is far ahead of Buono in public polls, and is leading among nearly every demographic group, including unaffiliated voters and women.

Both Christie and Buono faced only token opposition in their party primaries in June.